Best Sources for Political Science Scholarships

The interdisciplinary study of Political Science prepares students at the undergraduate, graduate and even doctoral levels for careers in politics, public service/administration, Law, business and industry, activism, and academics -- nationally or internationally. The opportunities are boundless.

Scholarships encourage and support the involvement of students—political science as a beast is a continually morphing discipline and as such is in constant demand for new blood and new perspectives.

Another spin on the scholarship situation is that, historically, politics of any sort has been dominated by white males. Guess what? If you’re an ethnic minority or female you could discover virtual gold-mines of scholarship opportunities aimed at diversifying the field of Poli Sci.

Minority Scholarships in Poli Sci

Minorities and women have been historically underrepresented in politics and related fields. Because of this the scholarship opportunities are vastly expanded for these populations of students. Examples:

  • If you are a Native American student studying Political Science and interested in pursuing tribal politics and policy, check out the scholarship opps through the federally-funded Udall Foundation Scholarships. Well over 100 scholars are recognized annually.
  • The National Federation of Republican Women offers a number of valuable annual scholarships, a few of which are designed specifically for women studying Political Science.

Federal Sources for Poli Sci Scholarships

One of the most prestigious and federally-funded scholarships for Political Science students is the Truman Scholarship program. Hundreds of U.S. students apply for this program annually. The awards are open to eligible next generation politicians or public servants. Applicants may apply during their undergraduate junior year with the intention of pursuing graduate studies in the field. Winners may receive up to $30,000 in scholarship money and are obligated to fulfill a service contract with a designated public service agency upon graduation.

Private Sources for Political Science Scholarships

  • The American Political Science Association sponsors a competitive annual Minority Fellows Program. This $4,000 award is available to pre-doctoral political science majors of ethnic origin. Additional criteria include financial need and interest in pursuing political science in the academic realm.
  • Scholarships are also often available through regional and local political party associations: Democratic Party of Washington County, OR ($500), Massachusetts Democratic Party (number of awards and paid Poli Sci internships), National Federation of Republican Women (number of awards and intended to increase women in politics), and there are many more just like these.

College and University Scholarships

One of the very first sources on your scholarship list must be your own college or university. Look way beyond the general scholarships offered through the Finaid and Scholarships offices—check with your department of Political Science. Why? Almost every Political Science department offers some kind of scholarship money. Examples:

  • Scholarships in Political Science at the University of Montana-Missoula are a few hundred dollars at best, but offer much-needed support to students studying international politics, public administration, politics and Law, local and regional government, and more.
  • Washington State University offers undergraduate scholarships to a number of department students. Criteria include a combination of financial need, academic merit, and student leadership.